Treatment of emesis in mammals with substituted methylenedioxy benzamides



United States Patent 3,423,512 TREATMENT OF EMESIS IN MAMMALS WITH SUBSTITUTED METHYLENEDIOXY BENZAMIDES Michel Leon Thominet, Paris, France, and Edward L. Engelhardt, Gwynedd, Pa., assignors to Socit dEtudes Scientitiques et Industrielles de lIle-de-France, Longjumeau, Seine-et-Oise, France, a corporation of France No Drawing. Original application June 3, 1965, Ser. No. 461,167, now Patent No. 3,370,066, dated Feb. 20, 1968. Divided and this application Nov. 22, 1967, Ser. No. 684,957 Claims priority, application France, June 9, 1964, 977,661, 977,663 US. Cl. 424282 3 Claims llnt. Cl. A61k 27/00 ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Mammals afflicted with emesis, pain, disorders of the nervous system or psychotic disorders are administered parenterally or orally a methylenedioxybenzamide. Such administration is effective in the treatment of emesis and effects significant changes in the central nervous system of the treated mammal whereby emesis, the disorders of the nervous system and psychotic disorders are significantly diminished.

This application is a division of the copending application, S.N. 461,167, filed June 3, 1965, now U.S. Patent No. 3,370,066, issued Feb. 20, 1968.

This invention relates to methylenedioxybenzamides, processes for their production and methods of their uses.

The substituted methylenedioxybenzamides of this invention have the formula:

1 ca; 0A

in which the methylenedioxy group is in the 3-4, 4-5 or 5-6 position; A is hydrogen, lower alkyl of 1 to 5 carbon atoms, such as methyl, isopropyl or isobutyl or lower alkenyl such as CH==CH or CH CH=C'H V is hydrogen, lower alkyl of 1 to 5 carbon atoms such as methyl, isopropyl or isobutyl, aryl, such as phenyl and substituted aryl, such as methyl phenyl; W is lower alkylene of 2 to 4 carbon atoms, such as:

and X is an N-di lower alkylamino having the same or different alkyls of 1 to 5 carbon atoms or a 5 or 6 membered heterocyclic nitrogenous organic nucleus with a nitrogen atom thereof connected to a carbon atom of W, such as those derived from morpholine, piperidine, pyrrolidine, piperazine, N-alkylpiperazine and imidazole.

The substituted methylenedioxybenzamides of this invention are prepared by reacting methylenedioxybenzoic acid with Woodwards Reagent, i.e., 3-sulfonate of N- ethyl-S-phenylisoxazolium (Woodward, I. Am. Chem. Soc. 1961, 83, 1010). The resulting product is reacted with a diamine having the formula:

to produce the desired substituted methylenedioxybenzamide. The sequence of reactions is represented as 01- lows when X of the diamine is an N-di lower alkylamine:

so a

The compositions of the invention possess significant pharmacological properties and can be utilized in the treatment of emesis, pain, disorders of the nervous system and psychotic disorders.

The invention includes the salts of the basic amides described above and the pharmaceutically acceptable addition salts of such basic amides.

The acid salts of the substituted methylenedioxybenzamides are produced by causing the benzamide base to react with an acid, such as hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, hydroiodic acid, phosphoric acid, sulfuric acid, citric acid, tartaric acid and lactic acid. Ethanesulfonic acid or acids, such as diphenylacetic acid, produce salts substantially insoluble in water and permit a slow absorption of the composition when administered, thereby effecting prolonged action of the composition.

The quaternary ammonium derivatives are obtained by reacting the substituted benzamide base with an aliphatic or aromatic agent, such as methyl chloride, methyl bromide, methyl iodide, dimethyl sulfate, methyl benzene sulfonate, methyl p-toluene sulfonate, ethyl bromide, propyl bromide and benzyl chloride.

The substituted methylenedioxybenzamides of this invention possess significant pharmacological properties and may be used, incorporated in or combined with pharmaceutically acceptable carriers.

A more comprehensive understanding of this invention is obtained by reference to the following examples.

Example I.-N-(Z-diethylaminoethyl)-2-methoxy-3,4-

methylenedioxybenzamide 37.9 g. (0.193 mol) of 2-methoxy-3,4-rnethylenedioxybenzoic acid and 19.5 g. (0.193 mol) of triethylamine are dissolved in 400 ml. of anhydrous acetonitrile. This solution is added to a suspension of 49 g. (0.193 mol) of 3- sulfonate of N-ethyl-5-phenylisoxazolium in 600 ml. of anhydrous acetonitrile cooled to 0 C., then stirred 45 minutes at ordinary temperature. The reaction mixture is cooled at 0 C. and 45 g. (0.386 mol) of N,N-diethyl ethylenediamine are added under agitation. The solid dissolves slowly, is agitated for four hours at ordinary temperature and allowed to stand overnight.

The solution obtained is then concentrated to a low volume under vacuum. Water, benzene and 20 ml. of a 10 N solution of sodium hydroxide are added. The

benzene layer is separated, washed with water, dried with sodium sulfate and the benzene distilled under vacuum. The residual oil obtained weighs 54.1 g. and is composed of N-(Z-diethylaminoethyl)-2 methoxy 3,4- methylenedioxybenzamide. The base is dissolved in absolute alcohol and the solution is treated with 10% ex cess gaseous HCl dissolved in absolute alcohol. The warm solution is diluted with ether until the crystallization of the product is obtained. The hydrochloride is filtered and washed on the filter with ether. The yield is 46.2 g. having a melting point of 164-165 C. This yield is 73% of the theoretical. Analysis of the product having the empirical formula of C H N O -HCl shows the following:

Calculated: C, 54.46%; H, 7.01%; N, 8.47. Found: C, 54.52%; H, 6.90%; N, 8.41%.

Example II.-N-(Z-diethylaminoethyl -2-methoxy-4,5- methylenedioxybenzamide 39.2 g. (0.2 mol) of 2-methoxy-4,5-methylenedioxy' benzoic acid are dissolved in a mixture of 200 ml. of anhydrous acetonitrile and 20.5 g. (0.2 mol) of triethylamine. This solution is added, under agitation, to a solution of 50.5 g. (0.2 mol) of 3'-sulfonate of N-ethyl-S- phenylisoxazolium in 400 ml. of anhydrous acetonitrile.

The mixture is cooled in an ice bath, is agitated for one hour, then for two hours at ordinary temperature. To the solution cooled at C., there is added, under agitation, 46 g. (0.4 mol) of N,N-diethylethylene diamine. After remaining overnight at ordinary temperature, the solution obtained is concentrated under vacuum to a low volume. Benzene, water and 20 ml. of a N solution of sodium hydroxide are added. The benzene layer is separated, washed with water and dried with sodium sulfate. The benzene is removed under vacuum. The pale yellow residual oil weighs 50 g. It is dissolved in absolute alcohol and treated with excess gaseous HCl dissolved in alcohol. The warm solution obtained is diluted with ether. The N-(Z-diethylaminoethyl)-2-methoxy-4,5- methylenedioxybenzamide hydrochloride formed precipitates. It is dried and washed on a filter with ether. The yield is 35.5 g. of the hydrochloride having a melting point of 2l3-2l5 C. and is 63% of the theoretical. Analysis of the hydrochloride having the empirical formula of C H N O -3HCl shows the following:

Calculated: C, 54.46%; H, 7.01%; N, 8.47%. Found: C, 54.44%; H, 6.90%; N, 8.62%.

Desirably, the substituted benzamides, such as those described in Examples I and II are associated with solid or liquid pharmaceutically acceptable carriers for oral or parenteral administration in the treatment of emesis, pain, nervous system disorders and psychotic disorders. The substituted benzamides and carriers may be in the form of capsules, tablets, powders, sterile solutions of water or other solvents or other dosage forms. The substituted benzamides may be admixed with diluents and adjuvants, such as lactose, gums, stearic acid or talc.

The antiemetic action of the compositions of Examples I and II were studied on the centers of vomiting in the dog with the aid of apomorphine according to the technique of Chen and Ensor taken with Ducrot and P. Decourt.

Lots of 4 dogs were operated on.

Apomorphine was administered subcutaneously in dosage of 0.10 rug/kg. The compositions being studied were administered 30 minutes before such administration. The vomitings were counted during the 30 minutes following the injection of apomorphine.

The following calculations were taken from the experimental results for two of the compositions of the present invention.

Rate of protection with dose Composition: of 250,ug./kg. (base), percent N- 2-diethylaminoethyl -2-methoxy-3,4-methylenedioxybenzamide 100 N-(Z-diethylaminoethyl)-2-methoxy-4,5methylenedioxybenzamide 100 The study of the actions of these compositions on the central nervous system was made and the following results for different tests were given:

N- 2-diethylaminoethyl -2-methoxy-5.4-methylenedioxybenzamide (a) Test of Kinnard and Carr in the mouse (spontaneous motility): D. E. 50 (baseJ=t0.6 mg./l g. I.P.

(b) Experimental catalepsy in the rat: at 50 mtg/kg. subcutaneously, a 20% cataleptic effect is obtained.

(c) Test of rotarod in the mouse: D. E. 50 (base )=79.3

the mouse: D. E. 50

N-(Z-diethylaminoethyl) -2-methoxv-4.5-methylenedioxybenzamide (a) Test of Kinnard and Carr in the mouse (spontaneous motility): D. E. 50 (base)=ll.6 mg./kg. LP.

(b) Experimental catalepsy in the rat: with 50 mg./kg. subcutaneously, a 20% cataleptic etfect is obtained.

(c) Tremorine test in the moust: D. E. 50 (base)=l.9 mg./kg. 1.1.

(d) Mescaline test in the mouse: D. E. mg./kg. LP.

(e) Traction test in the mouse: negative.

(f) Test of rotarod in the mouse: D. E. 50 (base)=37.-t mg./kg. LP.

(g) Test with phenylbenzoquinone in the mouse: protection of 33% at 40 mg./kg. LP.

(h) Anti-convulsant activity in the mouse: at dosage or 40 mg./kg. I.P.; no protection relative to pentylenetetrazol convulsions with regard to lethality, the tonic conculsion or the clonic convulsion.

The compositions administered in the form of a phar- 50 (base)=7.6

macologically acceptable salt. in the form of tablets. injectable ampoules, suppositories. saccharine, granules ori syrup.

What is claimed is:

1. The method of treating a mammal afilicted withl emesis comprising administering to said mammal a compound selected from the class consisting of free bases. nontoxic salts and quaternary ammonium derivatives thereof; said free bases having the formula:

in which the methylenedioxy radical is in a position selected from the class consisting of the 3-4. 45 and 56 positions. A is a member selected from the class consisting of hydrogen, lower alkyl and lower alkenyl; V is a member selected from the class consisting of hydrogen. lower alkyl, phenyl and methylphenyl; W is lower atkvlene; and X is selected from the class consisting of N- oi 6 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,251,287 8/1941 Lott 260340.5 2,362,128 11/1944 Gertler et a1. 260340.5

ALBERT T. MEYERS, Primary Examiner. S. FRIEDMAN, Assistant Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,423,512 January 21, 1969 Michel Leon Thominet et al.

It is certified that error appears in the above identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 1, line 46, "CHZCH should read CHzCH line 54 Column 3, line 14, '8.47"

"CH2-CH(CH3) should read cH -c (c should mouse should read 8.47% Column 4, line 35, "moust line 71, positions." should read positions;

Signed and sealed this 31st day of March 1970.

(SEAL) Attest:

Edward M. Fletcher, Jr.

Commissioner of Patents Attesting Officer WILLIAM E. SCHUYLER, JR. 

